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Old 11th July 2020, 06:14 PM   #1
kino
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Default What happened to this Barung

This Barung has been living with me for over 15 years. Fits nicely in the scabbard.
There’s a big dent on the blades right side.

What happened?
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Old 11th July 2020, 06:24 PM   #2
Bob A
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Looks like a scarf weld from an earlier breakage. I assume this occurred well before it came into your possession. If it's recent, I have no explanation.
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Old 11th July 2020, 07:38 PM   #3
Ian
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Very nice hilt and scabbard, and what was once a nice blade. Looks as though this one took a hit from a cannon ball. I can't think what else would cause such a large round impression and snap the blade in two.

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Old 12th July 2020, 07:16 AM   #4
Battara
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I agree so far. Never seen a scarf weld or damage like this except for cannon shots.
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Old 12th July 2020, 03:22 PM   #5
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This is a question I've been pondering lately and I think this is a good time to ask it.

How serviceable is a blade after this kind of repair? It would obviously have to be normalized, hardened, and tempered. Would a chopper like this be able to take much impact or would it just be a show piece after the repair? Was this beautiful hilt and sheath original or manufactured for the remade blade?
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Old 12th July 2020, 04:43 PM   #6
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BobA- the blade was in this condition when I acquired the Barung. I polished and etched the blades tip.

Ian and Battara- a hit from a cannon ball (shrapnel?), never entered my mind, if true, it’s amazing how it survived.

IP- Whether the furniture was original to the blade or not, it’s up to anyone’s guess. I’m assuming that it’s original.

I can’t see a reason for re-hilting and housing it in a scabbard of this type for a heavily damaged blade. I’m thinking that the blades tip wasn’t completely broken off just heavily fractured and re-welded. The scabbards upper left appendage has been restored, the difference in the color is apparent in the photo. The rattan wrapping is current as well.
Thanks for you input guys.
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Old 12th July 2020, 07:04 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Battara
I agree so far. Never seen a scarf weld or damage like this except for cannon shots.
May also have been grapeshot.

I have a pipe-backed blade on an ww1 era Austrian sword with a distinct dimple on the blade from a bullet - and a crack in the blade all the way to the spine. the matching numbered scabbard does not have a corresponding dimple, so I'd bet the owner got a nasty shock while it was drawn, it still fits the scabbard too. Hope he survived the engagement & spent years telling the story in the local bierkellar. (I've had an offer to have it TIG welded and reground/ polished but so far have resisted.)
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Old 12th July 2020, 08:13 PM   #8
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I also wonder if this is from the Borneo Moros based on the scabbard style and dimensions.
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